Time delay relay



Oct. 20, 1953 T. B. JocHr-:M 2,656,434

TIME DELAY RELAY Filed July 30, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet l O --I -L -74 I' HO 7 /z L? 7/ :i i l ,/75' 1| I! /Z f :E j i 1 O f 7i Oct. 20, 1953 T, BJQCHEM 2,656,434

TIME DELAY RELAY Filed July 30, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z4 77 INVENTOR.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 30 1951 m 5 my m3. /H p j f /M Afw 7 5 z 3 HM M sv Q Patented Oct. 20, 1953 TIME DELAY RELAY Theodore B. Jochem,Wauwatosa, Wis., assigner to Cutler-Hammer, Inc., Milwaukee, Wis., a

corporation of Delaware Application July 30, 1951, Serial No. 239,224

15 Claims. i

This invention relates to electromagnetically operated timing relays ofthe latching variety.

An object of the invention is to provide a rela tively simple andcompact timing relay adapted to maintain predetermined standards ofoperation while subjected to high intensity percussion such as occurs inthe vicinity of large explosions and the like.

Another object is to provide a latching relay which has a ihigh currentcarrying capacity and is satisfactorily operable l.by either direct oralternating current.

A further object is to provide a timing relay wherein the contactmembers may be readily adjusted to either normally open or normallyclosed positions, and wherein a plurality of said contact members areindividually latched and ad justed for selective sequential operation atthe desired points in the time delay interval.

The timing relay, in general, comprises a biased electromagneticallyactuated plunger assembly which operates through an intermediate mem berto normally hold a regulable time delay means in `a retracted position.When released by the plunger, the time delay means and intermediatemember move at a predetermined rate to trip individual latching elementsand thereby effect selective opening or closing of corresponding switchmembers, the latter being biased for snapacton movement upon tripping ofthe latch elements therefor. In order to reset the switch members and tocooperate with the latch elements in preventing undesired switchingaction, means are provided in the plunger assembly to bear directly onthe various switch members and Fig. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectiontaken along line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the device, with parts being broken awayto show details of the plunger and guides;

Fig. s an enlarged detail View of thcvball valve assembly and actuatingmember; and

fi L) Fig. 7 is a detail view of a locked set screw and one of the latchlevers.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1 and 5 thereof, thecomponents of the timing relay include a magnet frame and coil assemblyl, a time delay assembly 2 `arranged beneath the assembly l and spaced asubstantial distance therefrom, and various intermediate switch andswitch operating elements the structure and functioning of which will bedescribed in detail subsequently. All of the components of the relay aredirectly or indirectly supported by a vertically disposed rectangularmounting plate 3 which is adapted with bolt holes 4 for securing to arelay panel or the like.

The assembly I comprises a rectangular laminated magnet frame 5 havinglower and upper pairs t and 1 of angle brackets secured thereto las byrivets extending transversely through the laminations. The outwardlyextending or flange portions (i of the various angle brackets arearranged to straddle a pair of vertical bars 9 which are bolted tomounting plate 3, so that bolts Il! may be extended through the bars 9and bracket fianges to rigidly support the magnet frame.

In completing the assembly I, a solenoid coil Il is disposed within theframe and electrically separated therefrom by insulating washers l2mounted adjacent the ends of the coil. The coil may be held in positionby a pair of spring clips I3, w-hich press between the lower washer l2and angle brackets 6 and urge the coil and upper washer against theupper portion of the magnet frame.

Referring to Figs. l and 5, the magnet frame 5, angle brackets '6 and l,and coil Il are suitably apertured or recessed to receive a pair ofchannel-shaped guides i4 and a rectangular solenoid plunger l5 slidablymounted between the guides. In order to rigidly hold each of the guidesI4 in position, an angle clip I5 at the bottom thereof is bolted to thecorresponding flange 8 of a lower angle bracket 6, and a guide plate I1at the top thereof is inserted into a recess in an upper angle bracketl, the angle clip and guide plate having been previously secured to theassociated plunger guide I as by projection welding.

The plunger l5 is constructed of a plurality of soft steel laminationsriveted between a pair of side plates I8 which extend a substantialdistance below the laminations as best shown in Figs. l and 3. Tocomplete the plunger assembly, a T- shaped spring support i9 and a pairof pressure plates 20 are riveted between the lower ends oi' the sideplates I8, with the pressure plates being disposed outwardly of thespring support and extending therebeneath and to one side thereof for apurpose to be described subsequently.

The plunger assembly is biased downwardly by a pair of relatively strongcoil compression springs 2i which are suitably seated between thehorilrental arms of the spring support i9 and the underside of magnetframe 5. Because of the relatively strong downward bias exerted bysprings 2i and by the weight of the plunger, the magnetic forcenecessary to elevate the plunger assembly is relatively7 large. The coiland plunger l5 are designed so that the required magnetic force may becreated through use of either direct or alternating current,particularly since the structure or the relay permits the plunger to beof the laminated variety.

Referring particularly to Figs. l and 3, the stem of the T-shaped springsupport I9 bears downwardly against the cylindrically thickened bearingportion 22 of a horizontally disposed hinged plate 23 which serves as anintermediate member between the plunger assembly and the time delaymeans 2. A mounting for the plate 25, as well as for the time delayassembly, is provided in the form of a horizontal bracket 24 havingvertically disposed hanged triangular end portions 25 bolted to the faceof plate 3. The hinge connection between plate 23 and mounting bracket24 may comprise a rod 25 which extends horizontally through the endportions 25 and through the upturned ends of a U-shaped bracket 2l, thelatter being arranged along one edge of the plate and secured thereto asby riveting.

The time delay means 2 includes a casing hav- I' ing a generallyrectangular base member 28 bolted to a horizontal portion of mountingbracket 24, and a cover member 29 secured to the underside of the basemember by a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolts 33. member andthe cover member are preferably molded from a suitable phenolic moldingcompound.

As shown in Fig. 3, the assembled members 23 and E3 are shaped to definea chamber Vhaving upper and lower portions 3| and 32 divided by aflexible diaphragm 33. The diaphragm, which is inserted between the baseand cover members and E3 and sealingly held in position by bolts isformed of a suitably huid-tight material such as rubber impregnatedfabric or a plastic sheet.

In order to provide a means for the air or other huid contained withinthe upper chamber portion 3| to ow into the lower chamber' portion 32when the diaphragm is elevated, a narrow passage is provided through thebase and cover members 2S and 23 and through the diaphragm edge heldthereby. The rate of fluid flow through the pasage is controlled by aneedle valve member 35 which is adjustably threaded into a raisedportion 35 of the cover member.

To permit quick return of the air to the. lower chamber portion 32 uponsubsequent lowering of the diaphragm 33, a ball valve assembly 3l issuitably sealed into an aperture in the center of the diaphragm. Asshown in Fig. 6, the assembly 3? comprises a casing 38 having upper andlower chambers 39 and 4Q separated by a relatively small cylindricalpasage 4|. A ball 42 is disposed in the lower chamber 4B and biasedupwardly against the lower end of the passage by a helical compressionspring 43 which is heldin place by a retaining ring 44 mounted at thelower end of the casing 33.

Both the base A The ball 42 is moved off its seat against the bias ofspring 43 by a second and stronger helical spring 45 having its lowerportion disposed in passage 4| and its upper portion secured in acorresponding recess in the lower end of a vertically disposedcylindrical actuating rod 46. The actuating rod 46, which extendsupwardly through the base member 23, is provided at its upper end with abearing bolt portion 4': having a wide head located directly beneath thecylindrical bearing portion 22 of the hinged plate 23. The portion 4l isinternally threaded to fit over a reduced and threaded portion of therod, with an overhanging shoulder being provided to permit seatingagainst a washer disposed in a recess in the upper surface of basemember 28.

In order to bias the actuating rod upwardly against the member 23, acompression spring 43 is coiled around the bolt 4l and seated againstthe wide head thereof and against the washer. The lower end of theactuating rod 4S being vertically movable in the upper chamber 33 ofball valve casing 33 but restrained from leaving the same by a iiange 49at the bottom end of the rod and a correspondingly necked-down portion53 at the top of casing 33, the actuating rod, ball valve assembly,diaphragm and hinged plate move upwardly under the bias of spring 48when the solenoid plunger assembly is retracted.

The time delay assembly 2 is substantially the same as the ones shownand described in Kuhn, et al. Patent No. 2,556,225, issued May 2, 1950,and Jochem Patent No. 2,520,212, issued August 29, 1950. Reference ismade to said patents for a more detailed description of the assembly.

In the operation of the elements thus far described, the parts arenormally disposed in the position shown in Fig. 3 since the downwardbias exerted by the springs 2| and solenoid plunger assembly is greaterthan the effective upward bias of spring 48. Upon energiz'etion of thesolenoid coil l by either direct or alternating current, the plungerassembly is quickly moved upwardly and away from the bearing portion 22of plate 23, with the Lipper end of the plunger l5 being seated againstthe top of the magnet frame 5.

The actuatirrT rod 46 is thus released for upward movement, and theintermediate hinged plate 23 is pivoted upwardly therewith under thelifting force exerted by the head of the bearing bolt portion 41 on thebearing portion 22 of the plate. This upward movement, however, isretarded by the drag action of the diaphragm 33 and associated parts,which action acts against the upward bias of spring 48.

When the actuating rod 46 starts to move upwardly upon retraction of theplunger assembly, the flange 49 (Fig. 6) at the lower end of the rod isseated against the necked-down portion 50 of the ball valve casing 38,so that the casing 38 and diaphragm 33 move upwardly with the actuatingrod. During the interval, the ball 42 is seated by spring 43 on thelower end of passage 4| and consequently the narrow passage 34 (Fig. 3)through casing members 28 and 29 serves as the only means for air fromthe upper chamber portion 3| to ll the vacuum created in the lowerchamber portion 32. Since the rate of air ow through passage 34 may beincreased or decreased by adjustment of the needle valve member 35, therate of upward movement of the actuating rod 46, and thus of the hingedplate 23, may thus be varied over a wide range.

The upward movement of actuating rod 46 continues until the upperportion 50 of ball valve casing 38 seats in a correspondingly recessedportion of the upper interior face of base member 25.

Upon the de-energization of coil I the plunger assembly snaps downwardlyunder the bias of springs 2|, so that the lower end of the springsupport I9 engages the bearing portion 22 of hinged plate 2S anddepresses the same together with the actuating rod 56 disposedtherebeneath. During the initial portion of its downward move ment, theactuating rod 4.6 seats adjacent the upper end of passage 4| in the ballvalve casing and causes the spring 45 to push the ball 42 off its seatagainst the bias of the relatively weak spring 43. The ball valve beingthus opened, there is substantially no resistance to the now of airbetween the upper and lower chamber portions 3| and 32. The downwardmovement of the actuating rod 45 and hinged plate 23 is consequently arapid one and continuous until the shoulder at the upper end of theactuating rod seats on the washer at the surface of base member 28.

According to the invention, the relatively slow upward pivot of theintermediate hinged plate 23 is employed to trip a pair of latch levers5i arranged on opposite sides of the solenoid plunger assembly. Thelatch levers, when tripped, release correspondingly located switchlevers 52 to cause snap-action circuit control as will next bedescribed.

Referring particularly to Figs. l and 2 wherein the parts are shown inboth normal and actu ated positions, the latch and switch levers aremounted on the vertical portions of corresponding outwardly openingangle brackets 53 having their horizontal portions bolted opposite mountz.

portion 54 disposed above hinged plate 23 and a relatively shortvertical portion 55 which converges downwardly to an edge above theassociated switch lever. A suitabled ownwardly pointing set screw 56 isprovided through the outer end of the horizontal portion 54 foractuation by the upwardly moving edge portion of hinged plate 23, whichoperates to pivot the latch lever in a clockwise direction about ahorizontal mounting post 51 at the upper portion of bracket 53 and thusrelease the switch lever.

Each switch lever 52 is also of the bell crank type and is similarlymounted, as by a washer and cotter pin, on a post 58 at the lower endouter portion of the vertical bracket face. In the construction of eachswitch lever, inner and outer metal side plate portions 59 and 66 ofright-angl lar shape are riveted to a vertical portion 6|, the latterbeing preferably formed of a suitable glassbased insulating materia-l toprovide for the mounting cf contacts at the upper end thereof.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, a generally rectangular block 62 having ashort cylindrical post 63 on its upper surface is riveted between thehorizontal arms of each set of side plates 59 and 69 in such a positionthat the lower edge of the associated vertical latch portion 55 isnormally a slight distance above the block. The post 63 then serves as astop to prevent undesired counterclockwise pivot of latch lever 5| andas a bearing surface adapted to abut a small stop bracket 64 welded toangle bracket 53 and thus prevent unwanted clockwise pivot of the switchlever.

Each of the latch and switch levers is biased toward the stop therefor,the former by a spring v65 coiled around latch mounting post 51 andhaving its ends bearing against the upper surfaces of stop bracket 64and horizontal latch portion 54, and the latter by a helical compressionspring 66 seated between the underside of block 62 and the horizontalportion of angle bracket 53. Accordingly, each latch lever 5i tends toassume latching position over block 62, and each switch lever 52 tendsto assume a position causing shifting of the contact assembly 61 at theupper end thereof.

The contact assemblies 61 each include a movable conducting contactplate 68 having its indented center portion slidably mounted on a con"tact screw 69 which extends through the nar rowed upper end 10 of theinsulating lever portion 6|. A helical spring 1|, mounted between thehead of screw 69 and the contact plate 68, serves to bias the ends ofthe plate toward a pair of vertically disposed conducting contact arms12.

In order to provide an. insulating mounting for the pairs of contactarms 12, a rectangular contact board 13 is screwed to a pair of anglebrackets 14 which are riveted on opposite sides of the outer verticalportion of magnet frame 5. As in the case of the vertical parts 6| ofthe switch levers, board 13 is preferably composed of a suitableglass-based insulating material.

The mounting means for each of the con tact arms 12 consists of athreaded contact post 15 and a corresponding nut 16, with the post exutending forwardly from the mounting board to receive the ends ofleadswith which 'the relay is adapted to be associated. As best shown inFig. 1, the lower ends of the contact arms are offset inwardly from theupper ends thereof for better engagement with the correspon-ding contactplate 68.

' Inorder to adapt each of the contact assernn blies 61 for eithernormally closed or normally open operation, the lower ends of thecontact arms 12 are provided on both sides with conduct ing contacts 11.Contact plate 58, however, is provided with contacts 18 only on the sideop posite spring 1|. With this arrangement, when the members are intheir normal positions a particular contact assembly will be closed thecontact screw 69 is inserted into the narrow lever end 10 from the rightand open if the screw is inserted from the left.

It is thus merely necessary, in order to change a set of contacts fromnormally open to normally closed to remove the mounting nut 15 at theend of each contact screw 63 and change the direction of insertionthereof and thus the side of conn tact arms 12 on which the contactplate is located. The difference between normally open and normallyclosed positions is best iliustrated in Fig. 4, and results from thespacing efi'ected by the narrow lever portions 16 and from the fact thatthe switch levers 52 pivot in an outward clockwise direction uponenergization of the relay.

Once the switch levers 52 have been pivoted clockwise for shifting ofthe contact assemblies 61 thereon, resetting of the switch levers andconw tacts is effected by the pressure plates 25 which form part of thesolenoid plunger assembly. For this purpose, the horizontal portion ofthe inner side plate 59 of each latch lever 5| is made relatively long,as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and provided with a bearing roll S25 disposeddirectly beneath the lower end of the corresponding pres" sure plate.The bearing rolls are preferably riveted to the side plates 59 in such amanner that 6 the axes thereof are transverse to the pressure plates.

The pressure plates serve not only to reset the contacts as the plungerassembly snaps downwardly under the bias of springs 2l uponde-energization of solenoid coil H, but also to cooperate with the latchassemblies in maintaining the contacts in normal positions during theentire period of de-energization o1 the coil. Thus if a percussiveshock, for example, tends to shift the contacts at an undesired timesuch shifting would be opposed by the downward bias of the plungerassembly and also by the latch assemblies.

Upon energization of coil ll and consequent retraction of the solenoidplunger assembly, including pressure plates 29, the times at which thevarious switch contacts are shifted depend partially upon theadjustments of set screws 5B on the latch levers 5|. The set screw forone latch lever is preferably adjusted so that the lower end thereof islocked in relatively elevated position near the limit of upward travelof the edge of hinged plate 23. Such a locking, which may beaccomplished by a nut 3l and corresponding washer as shown in Fig. 7,makes the maximum time delay interval of the relay solely dependent uponthe adjustment of the needle valve which controls the rate of movementof actuating rod 48 and thus of the hinged plate edge.

Referring to Fig. 1, the set screw 56 for the other latch lever is madereadily adjustable for a variety of time delay intervals intermediatethe interval determind by the setting of needle valve 35 and by thelocked set screw of Fig. 7. Such adjustment may be provided for by avertically disposed spring pawl 82 which is bolted to the horizontallatch lever portion 54 and has a horizontally bent pointed upper end 83(Fig. 4) adapted to fit between serrations on the upper portion of theset screw. the set screw may be easily turned to the desired setting,after which it is held thereat by the resilience of the pawl which urgesthe point 83 between the serrations.

The operation of the latching and switching portions of the relay willnext be described. Assume that the parts are in their normal positions(Fig. l) corresponding to de-energization of the solenoid coil il, withthe pressure plates 20 of the solenoid plunger assembly holding theswitch levers 52 in counterclockwise pivoted position. The blocks 62 ofthe switch levers are then disposed a slight distance below the loweredges of the vertical latch portions 55, and said edges are urgedagainst the sides of posts 63 on the blocks by the springs 55. Where thecontact assembly 61 on a particular switch lever 52 is adapted to benormally closed as in Fig. l, the contacts 78 of the plate 68 are biasedagainst the corresponding outer contacts 'I'l of arms I2 by a spring li.Where, on the other hand, a contact assembly is normally open (Fig. 3)the plate 68 is biased against the narrow lever end 'l0 and thecooperating contacts T and 18 are spaced from each other.

Upon energiaaton of coil H by either direct or alternating current, thesolenoidL plunger assembly is quickly retracted upwardly against thebias of springs 2l and remains in its elevated position until the coilis de-energized. The pressure plates 2Q are thus disengaged from thebearing rolls 3S of switch levers 52, and the edge of hinged plate ispermitted to move upwardly under the force of the actuating rod 46 andbiasing spring 4S therefor'. Such movement, however,

With this arrangement is retarded and made relatively slow by the timedelay means 2 as previously described, with the speed of movement beingcontrolled by the setting of needle valve 35.

As soon as the pressure plates 20 are moved upwardly, the switch leverbiasing springs 6B become operative to pivot the switch levers 52clockwise until the blocks 52 thereon engage the lower edges of verticallatch portions 55. Upon engagement of the upwardly moving edge of hingedplate 23 with the lower end of one of the set screws 55, thecorresponding latch lever 5| is slowly pivoted in a clockwise direction.The relatively sharp lower edge of the vertical latch portion 55 is thusslid to the left along block 62 of the related switch lever 52 until theedge of the block is reached and passed. Thereupon, the switch lever 52pivots clockwise in a snapaction manner under the bias of spring 66 andeffects shitting of the contacts thereon. This actuated position isillustrated in Fig. 5 for a switch assembly 61 that is adapted to benormally closed. For an assembly that is normally open, the actuatedposition is the same except that the contact plate S8 is on the leftside of the associated contact arms l2, and the contacts 'Il and 'I8 arein biased engagement. When operating in the described manner the hingedplate 23 may be regarded as a means for actuating the contacts, with theactuation taking effect via the various latch levers.

As previously stated, the set screws 56 are adjusted for actuation atdiierent points in the time delay interval which is determined by thesetting of needle valve 35 of the time delay assembly 2. For example,the locked set screw (Figs. 4 and '7) may be set for opening of thecorresponding switch contacts at the end of the interval, whereas thereadily adjustable set screw (Fig. l) may be set for contact shifting atan intermediate point. Because of this variety in the timer at which thevarious contacts may be shifted, and also because of the fact that anyset of contacts may be made either normally open or normally closed, awide range of circuit control may be easily achieved.

To illustrate but one type of circuit control which may be attained,assume that it is desired to close a circuit a predetermined period oftime after energization of coil Il and open the same circuit a secondand longer predetermined period of time after such energization. Thismay be accomplished by connecting the leads of the circuit to contactposts I5 in such a manner that the contacts operated by the respectivesets of latch and switch levers 5l and 52 are in seriescircuit relation.The contact assembly B'l corresponding to the locked set screw 56 (Figs.4 and '7) is then adjusted so as to be normally closed, and the needlevalve 35 is set so that the associated contacts open at the expirationof the second and longer period of time. Thereafter, the contactassembly of the adjustable set screw 56 (Fig. 1) is made normally open,and the set screw is turned until the contacts close after the shorterperiod of time has elapsed. The desired circuit control is thus achievedin a minimum of time and with very little effort.

Upon de-energization of coil H, the contact assemblies are reset totheir normal positions in a snap-action manner by the pressure plates 20of the downwardly biased solenoid plunger assembly, which plates engagethe bearing rolls on the switch lever side plates 59 and rapidly pivotthe switch levers 52 in a counterclockwise Q direction. Suchcounterclockwise movement is opposed by springs GG and is terminatedwhen the actuating rod portion 41 of the time delay assembly seats onthe washer at the surface of the base member 28 (Fig. 3) and operatesthrough the bearing portion 22 of hinged plate 23 to prevent furtherdownward movement of the plunger assembly. Alternatively, the structureof the relay may be such that the counterclockwise movement switchlevers 52 is stopped by engagement of inner side plate 59 with a stopear 84 on the horizontal lower portion of angle bracket 53. When theswitch levers 52 are thus pivoted, the latch levers I are free to pivotcounterclockwise under the bias of springs 65 until the posts 63 on theswitch lever blocks 62 are engaged.

The parts of the described timing relay are short and compact and areconsequently relatively immune to bending and binding when subjected tohigh intensity percussion such as results from the firing of a large gunor from the exploding of a shell or bomb. In addition, snapactionopening and closing of the contacts, with consequent minimized arcingand contact wear, is attained with strong and rugged individualizedparts which are well adapted to withstand shocks such as thoseenumerated. The fact that the switch levers are reset directly by theplunger assembly, instead of through intermediate members, decreases thepossibility that the contacts will fail to return to normal positions.The structure of the relay permits the use of a relatively long hingedplate between the plunger and actuating rods, so that any number oflatch elements and corresponding switches may be employed without fearof binding and failure under shock conditions.

Various embodiments of the invention may be employed within the scope ofthe following claims.

I claim:

1. In a timing relay, electrical contact means, means to effect shiftingof said Contact means from normal to shifted positions, said contactshifting means being biased to move in a contact shifting direction,means to introduce time delay into the contact shifting movement of saidcontact shifting means, and electromagnetic means including a movableportion biased to engagesaid contact shifting means to prevent shiftingmovement thereof and independently of said contact shifting means toengage and hold said Contact means in normal position, said movableportion being operable upon energization of the electromagnetic means torelease said contact shifting means and contact means for shifting ofsaid Contact means at the expiration of a time delay interval and uponde-energization of the electromagnetic means to reset said contactshifting means and contact means to their initial positions.

2. In a relay, electrical contact means biased when in a firstcircuit-controlling position to assume a shifted circuit-controllingposition, latch means biased to hold said contact means in said iirstposition, latch tripping means biased to move into tripping engagementwith said latch means, and electromagnetic means operable when in afirst electrical condition both to engage and hold said latch trippingmeans out of actuating engagement with said latch means and to engageand hold said contact means in said first position and when in a secondelectrical condition to release said latch tripping means and contactmeans for shifting of said Contact means, the holding and releasingaction of said electromagnetic means on said contact means beingindependent of said latch tripping means.

3. In a timing relay, electrical contact means biased when in a firstcircuit-controlling position to assume a shifted circuit-controllingposition, latch means to hold said contact means in said rst position,latch tripping means biased to move toward said latch means and operableupon engagement therewith to trip the same and thus effect shifting ofsaid contact means, means to introduce time delay into the latchtripping movement of said latch tripping means, and electromagneticmeans operable when in a iirst electrical condition both to engage andhold said latch tripping means out of tripping engagement with saidlatch means and to engage and hold said contact means in said firstposition, and when in a second electrical condition to release saidlatch tripping means and contact means for shiftinfr of said contactmeans at the expiration of a time delay interval, the holding andreleasing action of said electromagnetic means on said contact meansbeing independent of said latch tripping means.

4. In a timing relay, electrical Contact means biased for movement fromnormal position to a shifted position, latch means operable to hold saidcontact means in normal position against the bias thereon, latchtripping means biased for movement toward said latch means and operableupon engagement therewith to trip the same thus effect shifting of saidcontact means, regulable time delay means to retard the latch trippingmovement of said latch tripping means, and electromagnetic meansincluding a movable portion biased to engage and prevent movement ofsaid latch tripping means toward said latch means and independently ofsaid latch tripping means to engage and hold said contact means innormal position, said movable portion being operable upon energizationof the electromagnetic means to release said latch tripping means andcontact means for shifting of said Contact means at the expiration of atime delay interval and upon de-energization oi' the electromagneticmeans to reset said latch tripping means and Contact means to theinitial positions thereof.

5. In a timing relay, a switch assembly adapted to move between normaland shifted positions and biased towards the latter, a latch operablyassociated with said switch assembly to hold the same in normalposition, a latch tripping member movable into tripping engagement withsaid latch to effect shifting of said switch assembly, a solenoid coil,a solenoid plunger retractable by said coil and biased in a direction toengage and hold said latch tripping member out of engagement with saidlatch, regulable time delay means operable at the end of a predeterminedperiod oi' time after energization of said coil and conu sequentretraction of said plunger to release said latch tripping member toeffect movement of said latch tripping member into tripping en gagementwith Said latch for shifting of said switch assembly, and means on saidplunger to engage said switch assembly and reset the same to cooperatewith said latch in maintaining said switch assembly in normal positionuntil said coil is subsequently re-energized.

6. In a timing relay, electrical contact means having a tendency when ina rst circuit-controlling position to assume a secondcircuit-controlling position, latch means to hold said conl1 tact meansin said rst position, said latch means being biased in a latchingdirection, latch actuating means tending to move toward said latch meansand to actuate the same against the bias thereon until said contactmeans is released for snap-action shifting thereof to said secondposition, time delay means to retard the movement of said latchactuating means toward said latch means, and electromagnetic meansincluding a movable plunger assembly adapted to hold said latchactuating means out of engagement with said latch means and adaptedindependently of said latch actuating means to hold said contact meansin said rst position, said movable plunger assembly being operable uponenergization of the electromagnetic means to release said latchactuating means and contact means for shifting of said contact means atthe expiration of a time delay interval and upon de-energization of theelectromagnetic means to directly reset said latch actuating means andcontact means and to permit resetting of said latch means to latchingposition.

7, In a timing relay, a plurality of electrical contact assemblies, acontact shifting device biased to sequentially engage said .assembliesand effect corresponding sequential movement thereof from normal toshifted positions, regulable time delay means to retard the contactshifting movement of said device to a predetermined speed, andelectromagnetic means including a plunger assembly normally in biasedengagement with said contact shifting device and with said contactassemblies to prevent shifting of said contact assemblies, said plungerassembly being v retractable through energization of the electromagneticmeans to release said contact shifting device and contact assemblies andpermit sequential shift of said contact assemblies at predeterminedpoints in the time delay interval.

8. A timing relay, comprising a plurality of contact assembliesindividu-ally biased for movement from normal to shifted positions, eachof said contact assemblies having an adjustable latch assembly adaptedto hold its associated contact assembly in normal position, a latch.actuating member biased to move towardsaid latch assembly andsequentially engage and trip the same at times determined by theindividual adjustments of said latch assemblies and bythe rate of latchtripping movement of said member, regula'ble time delay means to controlthe rate of movement of said latch actuating member, and electromagneticmeans including a retractable plunger adapted to hold said latchactuating member out of engagement with said latch assemblies untilactuation of said movable plunger to a retracted position.

9. A timing relay, comprising a plurality of contact assemblies eachbiased for movement from normal position to a shifted position, aplurality of latch assemblies corresponding, respectively, with saidcontact assemblies and operable until tripped to engageably hold thesame in normal positions, a latch actuating member biased for movementtoward tripping engagement with said latch assemblies to individuallyengage and trip the same at times determined by the adjustments thereofand by the rate of movement of said member, timing means to control therate of latch tripping movement of said member, a solenoid coil, and asolenoid plunger assembly operated by said coil and biased in adirection to engage and hold said latch actuating member out ofengagement with said latch assemblies and to independently hold saidcontact assemblies in normal positions, said solenoid coil beingoperable to retract the plunger assembly and thus effect individualizedcontact shifting at the end of various time delay intervals and torelease the plunger assembly and thereby effect resetting of said latchactuating member, said latch assemblies and said contact assemblies.

10. In a timing relay, a coil, a time delay assembly mounted in spacedrelation from the coil, a plunger operated by the coil and normally heldin a position relatively adjacent said time delay assembly, an actuatingmember movable by said time delay assembly and having a tendency to movetoward the coil at a rate determined by the setting of the time delayassembly, another member movably mounted between said plunger and saidactuating member and normally held in engagement therebetween, saidother member having a tendency when released by said plunger' to rem-ainin engagement with said actuating member for movement thereby at saidpredetermined rate, and contact shifting means disposed in the path ofsaid intermediate member and adapted to be shifted thereby at theexpiration of a time delay interval.

l1. In a timing relay, a solenoid coil, a regulable time delay assemblyspaced from said coil, an intermediate plate movably mounted betweensaid coil and time delay assembly, a plunger assembly operated by saidcoil and biased toward an extended position in engagement with one sideof said plate, an actuating member operable by said time delay assemblyand biased toward an extended position in engagement with the other sideof said plate, the effective bias on said actuating member being lessthan the effective bias on said plunger assembly to cause the actuatingmember to remain in retracted position until release of saidintermediate plate through retraction of said plunger assembly, and aplurality of latch-action switch assemblies mounted between said timedelay assembly and said coil and in the path of motion of said plate.said plate being moved at -a predetermined rate by said actuating memberto individually engage and shift said switch `assemblies at variouspoints in a time delay interval which commences with the release of saidplate by said plunger assembly upon energization of said coil.

l2. A timing relay, which comprises a solenoid coil, a regulable timedelay assembly mounted beneath said coil and spaced therefrom, adownwardly extending solenoid plunger mounted in said coil for verticalmovement thereby, an upwardly extending actuating member operablyassociated with said time delay assembly and controlled in its upwardmovement by the setting thereof, a generally horizontal hinged platemounted between said coil and time delay assembly and normally havingits upper and lower surfaces engaged, respectively, by said plunger andactua-ting member, spring means biasing said plunging and actuatingmember towards each other, the effective downward bias of said springmeans being greater than the effective upward bias thereof to cause saidactuating member and hinged plate to remain in depressed position untilretraction of said plunger through energization of said coil, aplurality of adjustable latch members having their actuating portionsdisposed in the path of upward pivot of said plate for trippingengagement thereby at points determined by the adjustment of said latchmembers, and a plurality of switch `assemblies corresponding,respectively, with said latch members and individually operated thereby,the contacts of said switch assemblies being shifted upon tripping ofthe corresponding latch members as the hinged plate is pivoted upwardlyby said actuating member at a rate governed by the `setting of said timedelay assembly.

13. In a timing relay, a coil, a time delay assembly mounted in spacedrelation from the coil, a plunger operated by the coil and normally heldin a position relatively adjacent said time delay assembly, an actuatingmember operably movable by said time delay assembly toward the coil at arate determined by the setting of the time delay assembly, anothermember movably mounted between said plunger and actuating member andnormally held in engagement therebetween, said other member having atendency when released by said plunger to remain in engagement with saidactuating member for movement thereby at said predetermined rate,contact means adapted to be shifted by said other at the expiration of atime delay interval, and a member mounted for movement with said plungerand acting independently of said actuating member and said other memberto engage and reset said contact means to the initial position thereof.

14. In a timing relay, a support, an intermediate member pivotallyconnected to said support, a time delay assembly mounted on said supportat one side of said intermediate member, a solenoid coil mounted on saidsupport at the opposite side of said intermediate member, an actuatingmember biased against said one side of said intermediate member andmovable from an initial position by said time delay assembly to pivotsaid intermediate member toward said coil at a rate determined by thesetting of said time delay assembly, a laminated plunger operated bysaid coil and biased to an extended position against said opposite sideof said intermediate member to maintain said actuating member in saidinitial position, a plurality of latch assemblies each having anactuating portion adjustably disposed along the path of saidintermediate member, a like number of spring biased switch assembliescorresponding, respectively, to said latch assemblies and normally heldin a first circuit-controlling position thereby, said biased switchassemblies being sequentially snappedto a second circuitcontrollingposition upon tripping engagement of said latch assemblies and saidintermediate member as the latter is pivoted toward said coil afterretraction of said plunger through energization of said coil, andbearing means mounted on said plunger and shaped to engage and resetsaid switch assemblies to said first circuit-controlling position assaid plunger is returned by its bias to extended position uponde-energization of said la coil, the operation of said time delayassembly being such that the return rate of said plunger and actuatingmember and the resulting rate of resetting of said switch assemblies isof a rapid snap-action variety for decreased arcing in said switchassemblies.

15. A timing relay, comprising a support, a generally horizontalintermediate plate hinged to said support, a diaphragm-type time delayassembly mounted on said support beneath said intermediate plate, asolenoid coil mounted on said support above said intermediate plate, avertically disposed actuating rod having its lower end connected to saidtime delay assembly and its upper end bearing against the free edge ofsaid intermediate plate, a spring biasing said actuating rod againstsaid plate to pivot the same upwardly at a rate determined by thesetting of said time delay assembly, a vertically disposed laminatedsolenoid plunger mounted in said coil, a spring biasing said plungerdownwardly against the free edge of said intermediate plate oppositesaid actuating rod, the effective bias of said last named spring beingsufficiently strong to maintain said actuating rod and intermediateplate in a depressed position until retraction of said plunger throughenergization of said coil, a pair of biased pivotally mounted latchlevers having the actuating ends thereof disposed above saidintermediate plate and in the path of movement thereof, one of saidactuating ends being provided with a readily adjustable set screw tofacilitate variation of the time at which the corresponding latch leveris tripped by said upwardly moving intermediate plate, the other of saidactuating ends 'being provided with a locked set screw adjusted to causetrip-pings of the corresponding latch lever at approximately the end ofthe upward movement of said intermediate plate, a pair of pivotallymounted switch levers each biased toward shifted position but held innormal position by one of said latch levers, and a pair of contactassemblies mounted, respective- 1y, on said switch levers for actuationthereby as said switch levers are moved from normal to shiftedpositions, said contact assemblies being readily adjustable for eithernormally open or normally closed operation, and a pair of bearing platesmounted on said plunger to engage and reset said switch levers to normalpositions as said plunger is biased downwardly upon de-energization ofsaid coil and to thereby effect resetting of said levers.

THEODORE B. JOCHEM.

Name Date Kuhn et al. May 2, 1950 Number

